Organic electroluminescent materials and devices

ABSTRACT

A compound having a structure according Formula Ir(L A ) n (L B ) 3-n : 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     is described. In the structure of Formula Ir(L A ) n (L B ) 3-n : A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , A 6 , A 7 , and A 8  are each carbon or nitrogen; at least one of A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , A 6 , A 7 , and A 8  is nitrogen; ring B is bonded to ring A through a C—C bond; the iridium is bonded to ring A through an Ir—C bond; X is O, S, or Sc; R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  each independently represent no substitutions up to the maximum possible substitutions; any adjacent substitutions in R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  are optionally linked together to form a ring; each R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5  is independently selected from a variety of substituents; and n is an integer from 1 to 2. Formulations and devices, such as an OLEDs, that include the compound of Formula Ir(L A ) n (L B ) 3-n  are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/056,762, filed Sep. 29, 2014, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connectionwith one or more of the following parties to a joint universitycorporation research agreement: The Regents of the University ofMichigan, Princeton University, University of Southern California, andUniversal Display Corporation. The agreement was in effect on and beforethe date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention wasmade as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of theagreement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds for use as emitters anddevices, such as organic light emitting diodes, including the same.

BACKGROUND

Opto-electronic devices that make use of organic materials are becomingincreasingly desirable for a number of reasons. Many of the materialsused to make such devices are relatively inexpensive, so organicopto-electronic devices have the potential for cost advantages overinorganic devices. In addition, the inherent properties of organicmaterials, such as their flexibility, may make them well suited forparticular applications such as fabrication on a flexible substrate.Examples of organic opto-electronic devices include organic lightemitting devices (OLEDs), organic phototransistors, organic photovoltaiccells, and organic photodetectors. For OLEDs, the organic materials mayhave performance advantages over conventional materials. For example,the wavelength at which an organic emissive layer emits light maygenerally be readily tuned with appropriate dopants.

OLEDs make use of thin organic films that emit light when voltage isapplied across the device. OLEDs are becoming an increasinglyinteresting technology for use in applications such as flat paneldisplays, illumination, and backlighting. Several OLED materials andconfigurations are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,844,363, 6,303,238, and5,707,745, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

One application for phosphorescent emissive molecules is a full colordisplay. Industry standards for such a display call for pixels adaptedto emit particular colors, referred to as “saturated” colors. Inparticular, these standards call for saturated red, green, and bluepixels. Color may be measured using CIE coordinates, which are wellknown to the art.

One example of a green emissive molecule is tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium, denoted Ir(ppy)₃, which has the following structure:

In this, and later figures herein, we depict the dative bond fromnitrogen to metal (here, Ir) as a straight line.

As used herein, the term “organic” includes polymeric materials as wellas small molecule organic materials that may be used to fabricateorganic opto-electronic devices. “Small molecule” refers to any organicmaterial that is not a polymer, and “small molecules” may actually bequite large. Small molecules may include repeat units in somecircumstances. For example, using a long chain alkyl group as asubstituent does not remove a molecule from the “small molecule” class.Small molecules may also be incorporated into polymers, for example as apendent group on a polymer backbone or as a part of the backbone. Smallmolecules may also serve as the core moiety of a dendrimer, whichconsists of a series of chemical shells built on the core moiety. Thecore moiety of a dendrimer may be a fluorescent or phosphorescent smallmolecule emitter. A dendrimer may be a “small molecule,” and it isbelieved that all dendrimers currently used in the field of OLEDs aresmall molecules.

As used herein, “top” means furthest away from the substrate, while“bottom” means closest to the substrate. Where a first layer isdescribed as “disposed over” a second layer, the first layer is disposedfurther away from substrate. There may be other layers between the firstand second layer, unless it is specified that the first layer is “incontact with” the second layer. For example, a cathode may be describedas “disposed over” an anode, even though there are various organiclayers in between.

As used herein, “solution processible” means capable of being dissolved,dispersed, or transported in and/or deposited from a liquid medium,either in solution or suspension form.

A ligand may be referred to as “photoactive” when it is believed thatthe ligand directly contributes to the photoactive properties of anemissive material. A ligand may be referred to as “ancillary” when it isbelieved that the ligand does not contribute to the photoactiveproperties of an emissive material, although an ancillary ligand mayalter the properties of a photoactive ligand.

As used herein, and as would be generally understood by one skilled inthe art, a first “Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital” (HOMO) or “LowestUnoccupied Molecular Orbital” (LUMO) energy level is “greater than” or“higher than” a second HOMO or LUMO energy level if the first energylevel is closer to the vacuum energy level. Since ionization potentials(IP) are measured as a negative energy relative to a vacuum level, ahigher HOMO energy level corresponds to an IP having a smaller absolutevalue (an IP that is less negative). Similarly, a higher LUMO energylevel corresponds to an electron affinity (EA) having a smaller absolutevalue (an EA that is less negative). On a conventional energy leveldiagram, with the vacuum level at the top, the LUMO energy level of amaterial is higher than the HOMO energy level of the same material. A“higher” HOMO or LUMO energy level appears closer to the top of such adiagram than a “lower” HOMO or LUMO energy level.

As used herein, and as would be generally understood by one skilled inthe art, a first work function is “greater than” or “higher than” asecond work function if the first work function has a higher absolutevalue. Because work functions are generally measured as negative numbersrelative to vacuum level, this means that a “higher” work function ismore negative. On a conventional energy level diagram, with the vacuumlevel at the top, a “higher” work function is illustrated as furtheraway from the vacuum level in the downward direction, Thus, thedefinitions of HOMO and LUMO energy levels follow a different conventionthan work functions.

More details on OLEDs, and the definitions described above, can be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,704, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, a compound is provided that has thestructure of Formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n):

In the structure of Formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n):A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ are each independently either carbonor nitrogen;at least one of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ is nitrogen;ring B is bonded to ring A through a CC bond;the iridium is bonded to ring A through an Ir—C bond;

X is O, S, or Se;

R¹, R², and R⁴ each independently represent mono-, di-, tri-,tetra-substitution, or no substitution;R³ represents mono-, di-substitution, or no substitution;any adjacent substitutions in R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are optionally linkedtogether to form a ring; each R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halide,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino,silyt, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; and

n is an integer from 1 to 2.

According to another embodiment, a device comprising one or more organiclight emitting devices is also provided. At least one of the one or moreorganic light emitting devices can include an anode, a cathode, and anorganic layer, disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein theorganic layer can include a compound of FormulaIr(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n). The device can be a consumer product, anelectronic component module, an organic light-emitting device, and/or alighting panel.

According to yet another embodiment, a formulation containing a compoundof Formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n) is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an organic light emitting device.

FIG. 2 shows an inverted organic light emitting device that does nothave a separate electron transport layer.

FIG. 3 shows Formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n) as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, an OLED comprises at least one organic layer disposed betweenand electrically connected to an anode and a cathode. When a current isapplied, the anode injects holes and the cathode injects electrons intothe organic layer(s). The injected holes and electrons each migratetoward the oppositely charged electrode. When an electron and holelocalize on the same molecule, an “exciton,” which is a localizedelectron-hole pair having an excited energy state, is firmed. Light isemitted when the exciton relaxes via a photoemissive mechanism. In somecases, the “exciton,” may be localized on an excimer or an exciplex.Non-radiative mechanisms, such as thermal relaxation, may also occur,but are generally considered undesirable.

The initial OLEDs used emissive molecules that emitted light from theirsinglet states (“fluorescence”) as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,769,292, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.Fluorescent emission generally occurs in a time frame of less than 10nanoseconds.

More recently, OLEDs having emissive materials that emit light fromtriplet states (“phosphorescence”) have been demonstrated. Baldo et al.,“Highly Efficient Phosphorescent Emission from OrganicElectroluminescent Devices,” Nature, vol. 395, 151-154, 1998;(“Baldo-I”) and Baldo et al., “Very high-efficiency green organiclight-emitting devices based on electrophosphorescence,” Appl. Phys.Lett., vol. 75, No. 3, 4-6 (1999) (“Baldo-II”), which are incorporatedby reference in their entireties. Phosphorescence is described in moredetail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,704 at cols. 5-6, which are incorporatedby reference.

FIG. 1 shows an organic light emitting device 100. The figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Device 100 may include a substrate 110, ananode 115, a hole injection layer 120, a hole transport layer 125, anelectron blocking layer 130, an emissive layer 135, a hole blockinglayer 140, an electron transport layer 145, an electron injection layer150, a protective layer 155, a cathode 160, and a barrier layer 170.Cathode 160 is a compound cathode having a first conductive layer 162and a second conductive layer 164. Device 100 may be fabricated bydepositing the layers described, in order. The properties and functionsof these various layers, as well as example materials, are described inmore detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,704 at cols. 6-10, which areincorporated by reference.

More examples for each of these layers are available. For example, aflexible and transparent substrate-anode combination is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,844,363, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. An example of a p-doped hole transport layer is m-MTDATA dopedwith F₄-TCNQ at a molar ratio of 50:1, as disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2003/0230980, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety. Examples of emissive and host materials aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,238 to Thompson et al., which isincorporated by reference in its entirety. An example of an n-dopedelectron transport layer is BPhen doped with Li at a molar ratio of 1:1,as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0230980,which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,703,436 and 5,707,745, which are incorporated by reference in theirentireties, disclose examples of cathodes including compound cathodeshaving a thin layer of metal such as Mg:Ag with an overlyingtransparent, electrically-conductive, sputter-deposited ITO layer. Thetheory and use of blocking layers is described in more detail in U.S.Pat. No. 6,097,147 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2003/0230980, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.Examples of injection layers are provided in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0174116, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. A description of protective layers may be found in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2004/0174116, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIG. 2 shows an inverted OLED 200. The device includes a substrate 210,a cathode 215, an emissive layer 220, a hole transport layer 225, and ananode 230. Device 200 may be fabricated by depositing the layersdescribed, in order. Because the most common OLED configuration has acathode disposed over the anode, and device 200 has cathode 215 disposedunder anode 230, device 200 may be referred to as an “inverted” OLED.Materials similar to those described with respect to device 100 may beused in the corresponding layers of device 200. FIG. 2 provides oneexample of how some layers may be omitted from the structure of device100.

The simple layered structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided byway of non-limiting example, and it is understood that embodiments ofthe invention may be used in connection with a wide variety of otherstructures. The specific materials and structures described areexemplary in nature, and other materials and structures may be used.Functional OLEDs may be achieved by combining the various layersdescribed in different ways, or layers may be omitted entirely, based ondesign, performance, and cost factors. Other layers not specificallydescribed may also be included. Materials other than those specificallydescribed may be used. Although many of the examples provided hereindescribe various layers as comprising a single material, it isunderstood that combinations of materials, such as a mixture of host anddopant, or more generally a mixture, may be used. Also, the layers mayhave various sublayers. The names given to the various layers herein arenot intended to be strictly limiting. For example, in device 200, holetransport layer 225 transports holes and injects holes into emissivelayer 220, and may be described as a hole transport layer or a holeinjection layer. In one embodiment, an OLED may be described as havingan “organic layer” disposed between a cathode and an anode. This organiclayer may comprise a single layer, or may further comprise multiplelayers of different organic materials as described, for example, withrespect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Structures and materials not specifically described may also be used,such as OLEDs comprised of polymeric materials (PLEDs) such as disclosedU.S. Pat. No. 5,247,190 to Friend et al., which is incorporated byreference in its entirety. By way of further example, OLEDs having asingle organic layer may be used. OLEDs may be stacked, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,745 to Forrest et al, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety. The OLED structure maydeviate from the simple layered structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.For example, the substrate may include an angled reflective surface toimprove out-coupling, such as a mesa structure as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,091,195 to Forrest et al., and/or a pit structure as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,834,893 to Bulovic et al., which are incorporated byreference in their entireties.

Unless otherwise specified, any of the layers of the various embodimentsmay be deposited by any suitable method. For the organic layers,preferred methods include thermal evaporation, ink-jet, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,982 and 6,087,196, which areincorporated by reference in their entireties, organic vapor phasedeposition (OVPD), such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,102 toForrest et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, anddeposition by organic vapor jet printing (OVJP), such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,431,968, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Other suitable deposition methods include spin coating andother solution based processes. Solution based processes are preferablycarried out in nitrogen or an inert atmosphere. For the other layers,preferred methods include thermal evaporation. Preferred patterningmethods include deposition through a mask, cold welding such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,294,398 and 6,468,819, which areincorporated by reference in their entireties, and patterning associatedwith some of the deposition methods such as ink-jet and OVJD. Othermethods may also be used. The materials to be deposited may be modifiedto make them compatible with a particular deposition method. Forexample, substituents such as alkyl and aryl groups, branched orunbranched, and preferably containing at least 3 carbons, may be used insmall molecules to enhance their ability to undergo solution processing.Substituents having 20 carbons or more may be used, and 3-20 carbons isa preferred range. Materials with asymmetric structures may have bettersolution processability than those having symmetric structures, becauseasymmetric materials may have a lower tendency to recrystallize.Dendrimer substituents may be used to enhance the ability of smallmolecules to undergo solution processing.

Devices fabricated in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention may further optionally comprise a barrier layer. One purposeof the barrier layer is to protect the electrodes and organic layersfrom damaging exposure to harmful species in the environment includingmoisture, vapor and/or gases, etc. The barrier layer may be depositedover, under or next to a substrate, an electrode, or over any otherparts of a device including an edge. The barrier layer may comprise asingle layer, or multiple layers. The barrier layer may be formed byvarious known chemical vapor deposition techniques and may includecompositions having a single phase as well as compositions havingmultiple phases. Any suitable material or combination of materials maybe used for the barrier layer. The barrier layer may incorporate aninorganic or an organic compound or both. The preferred barrier layercomprises a mixture of a polymeric material and a non-polymeric materialas described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,968,146, PCT Pat. Application Nos.PCT/US2007/023098 and PCT/US2009/042829, which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties. To be considered a “mixture”, theaforesaid polymeric and non-polymeric materials comprising the barrierlayer should be deposited under the same reaction conditions and/or atthe same time. The weight ratio of polymeric to non-polymeric materialmay be in the range of 95:5 to 5:95. The polymeric material and thenon-polymeric material may be created from the same precursor material.In one example, the mixture of a polymeric material and a non-polymericmaterial consists essentially of polymeric silicon and inorganicsilicon.

Devices fabricated in accordance with embodiments of the invention canbe incorporated into a wide variety of electronic component modules (orunits) that can be incorporated into a variety of electronic products orintermediate components. Examples of such electronic products orintermediate components include display screens, lighting devices suchas discrete light source devices or lighting panels, etc. that can beutilized by the end-user product manufacturers. Such electroniccomponent modules can optionally include the driving electronics and/orpower source(s). Devices fabricated in accordance with embodiments f theinvention can be incorporated into a wide variety of consumer productsthat have one or more of the electronic component modules (or units)incorporated therein. Such consumer products would include any kind ofproducts that include one or more light source(s) and/or one or more ofsome type of visual displays. Some examples of such consumer productsinclude flat panel displays, computer monitors, medical monitors,televisions, billboards, lights for interior or exterior illuminationand/or signaling, heads-up displays, fully or partially transparentdisplays, flexible displays, laser printers, telephones, cell phones,tablets, phablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers,digital cameras, camcorders, viewfinders, micro-displays, 3-D displays,vehicles, a large area wall, theater or stadium screen, or a sign.Various control mechanisms may be used to control devices fabricated inaccordance with the present invention, including passive matrix andactive matrix. Many of the devices are intended for use in a temperaturerange comfortable to humans, such as 18 degrees C. to 30 degrees C., andmore preferably at room temperature (20-25 degrees C.), but could beused outside this temperature range, for example, from −40 degree C. to−80 degree C.

The materials and structures described herein may have applications indevices other than OLEDs. For example, other optoelectronic devices suchas organic solar cells and organic photodetectors may employ thematerials and structures. More generally, organic devices, such asorganic transistors, may employ the materials and structures.

The term “halo,” “halogen,” or “halide” as used herein includesfluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “alkyl” as used herein contemplates both straight and branchedchain alkyl radicals. Preferred alkyl groups are those containing fromone to fifteen carbon atoms and includes methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, and the like. Additionally, thealkyl group may be optionally substituted.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein contemplates cyclic alkyl radicals.Preferred cycloalkyl groups are those containing 3 to 7 carbon atoms andincludes cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like.Additionally, the cycloalkyl group may be optionally substituted.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein contemplates both straight andbranched chain alkene radicals. Preferred alkenyl groups are thosecontaining two to fifteen carbon atoms. Additionally, the alkenyl groupmay be optionally substituted.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein contemplates both straight andbranched chain alkyne radicals. Preferred alkynyl groups are thosecontaining two to fifteen carbon atoms. Additionally, the alkynyl groupmay be optionally substituted,

The terms “aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” as used herein are usedinterchangeably and contemplate an alkyl group that has as a substituentan aromatic group. Additionally, the aralkyl group may be optionallysubstituted.

The term “heterocyclic group” as used herein contemplates aromatic andnon-aromatic cyclic radicals. Hetero-aromatic cyclic radicals also meansheteroaryl. Preferred hetero-non-aromatic cyclic groups are thosecontaining 3 or 7 ring atoms which includes at least one hetero atom,and includes cyclic amines such as morpholino, piperdino, pyrrolidino,and the like, and cyclic ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran,tetrahydropyran, and the like. Additionally, the heterocyclic group maybe optionally substituted.

The term “aryl” or “aromatic group” as used herein contemplatessingle-ring groups and polycyclic ring systems. The polycyclic rings mayhave two or more rings in which two carbons are common to two adjoiningrings (the rings are “fused”) wherein at least one of the rings isaromatic, e.g., the other rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, aryl,heterocycles, and/or heteroaryls. Additionally, the aryl group may beoptionally substituted.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein contemplates single-ringhetero-aromatic groups that may include from one to three heteroatoms,for example, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole,triazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine and pyrimidine, and the like. Theterm heteroaryl also includes polycyclic hetero-aromatic systems havingtwo or more rings in which two atoms are common to two adjoining rings(the rings are “fused”) wherein at least one of the rings is aheteroaryl, e.g., the other rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls,aryl, heterocycles, and/or heteroaryls. Additionally, the heteroarylgroup may be optionally substituted.

The alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic group,aryl, and heteroaryl may be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium,halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, cyclic amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acid, ether,ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, andcombinations thereof.

As used herein, “substituted” indicates that a substituent other than His bonded to the relevant position, such as carbon. Thus, for example,where R¹ is mono-substituted, then one R¹ must be other than H.Similarly, where R¹ is di-substituted, then two of R¹ must be other thanH. Similarly, where R¹ is unsubstituted, R¹ is hydrogen for allavailable positions.

The “aza” designation in the fragments described herein, i.e.aza-dibenzofuran, aza-dibenzothiophene, etc. means that one or more ofthe C—H groups in the respective fragment can be replaced by a nitrogenatom, for example, and without any limitation, azatriphenyleneencompasses both dibenzo[f,h]quinoxaline and dibenzo[f,h]quinoline. Oneof ordinary skill in the art can readily envision other nitrogen analogsof the aza-derivatives described above, and all such analogs areintended to be encompassed by the terms as set forth herein.

It is to be understood that when a molecular fragment is described asbeing a substituent or otherwise attached to another moiety, its namemay be written as if it were a fragment (e.g. phenyl, phenylene,naphthyl, dibenzofuryl) or as if it were the whole molecule (e.g.benzene, naphthalene, dibenzofuran). As used herein, these differentways of designating a substituent or attached fragment are considered tobe equivalent.

According to one embodiment, a compound having a structure accordingFormula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n), where the Formula has the structure:

is described. In the structure of Formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n):A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ are each independently either carbonor nitrogen;at least one of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ is nitrogen;ring B is bonded to ring A through a CC bond;the iridium is bonded to ring A through an ir-C bond;

X is O, S, or Se;

R¹, R², and R⁴ each independently represent mono-, di-, tri-,tetra-substitution, or no substitution;R³ represents mono-, di-substitution, or no substitution;any adjacent substitutions in R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are optionally linkedtogether to form a ring; each R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halide,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino,silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; andn is an integer from 1 to 2.

In some embodiment, at least one of R¹ and R² is cycloalkyl or includesan alkyl with at least 2 carbon atoms, either of which may be fully orpartially deuterated. In some embodiments, at least one of R¹ and R² iscycloalkyl or includes an alkyl with at least 3 carbon atoms, either ofwhich may be fully or partially deuterated. In some embodiments, atleast one of R¹ and R² is cycloalkyl or includes an alkyl with at least4 carbon atoms, either of which may be fully or partially deuterated.

In some embodiments, at least one set of adjacent substitutions in R¹,R², R³, and R⁴ are linked together to form an aryl or heteroaryl ring.In some embodiments, at least one set of adjacent substitutions in R¹,R², R³, and R⁴ are linked together to form a non-aryl ring.

In some embodiments, A₁-A₄ and A₆-A₈ are carbon and A₅ is N.

In some embodiments, n is 1, while n is 2 in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the compound has the formula

In some embodiments, A¹ and A² are C, while A³ and A⁴ are bonded to Irand ring B. In some embodiments, only one of A¹ to A⁸ is nitrogen. Insome embodiments, only one of A⁵ to A⁸ is nitrogen, and A¹ to A⁴ arecarbon. In some embodiments, X is O.

In some embodiments, R¹, R², and R⁴ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, andcombinations thereof.

In some embodiments, R³ represents no substitution. In some embodiments,R³ represents di-substitution and links together to form a benzene ringfused onto the imidazole ring, and the benzene ring fused onto theimidazole ring is optionally further substituted. In some embodiments,each position attic benzene ring fused onto the imidazole ring can besubstituted by a substituent independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halide, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylicacids, ester, nitrite, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, andcombinations thereof.

In some embodiments, R⁵ is alkyl or cycloallyl.

In some embodiments, R⁵ is

where ring C is 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclicring that is optionally further substituted; and R^(1′) and R^(2′) areeach independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy,aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile,sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, at least one of R¹′ and R²′ is not hydrogen ordeuterium.

In some embodiments, each substitutable position of ring C can besubstituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl,alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester,nitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof.

In some embodiments, R^(1′) and R^(2′) are each independently selectedfrom the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl,butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl,2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl,2,2-dimethylpropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, pyridinyl,partially or fully deuterated variants thereof, and combinationsthereof.

In some embodiments, the compound has a structure according to FormulaII:

In the structure of Formula II, R is selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, deuterium alkyl, cycloalkyl, and combinations thereof. Insome embodiments of Formula II, R is selected from the group consistingof methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl,2-methylpropyl, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl,1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, partially or fully deuterated variants thereof, andcombinations thereof.

In some embodiments, L_(A) is selected from the group consisting of:

In some embodiments, L_(B) is selected from the group consisting of:

In some embodiments, the compound has a structure selected from thegroup consisting of Structure 1 through Structure 23,350, wherein eachStructure x has the formula Ir(L_(Ak))(L_(Bj))₂, wherein x=467j+k−467, kis an integer from 1 to 467, and j is an integer from 1 to 50. In suchembodiments, L_(A1) to L_(A467) and L_(B1) to L_(B50) have the meaningsprovided above.

In some embodiments, the compound can be an emissive dopant. In someembodiments, the compound can produce emissions via phosphorescence.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device thatincludes one or more organic light emitting devices is also provided. Atleast one of the one or more organic light emitting devices can includean anode, a cathode, and an organic layer disposed between the anode andthe cathode. The organic layer may include a host and a phosphorescentdopant. The emissive layer can include a compound according to FormulaIr(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n), and its variations as described herein.

The device can be one or more of a consumer product, an electroniccomponent module, an organic light-emitting device and a lighting panel.The organic layer can be an emissive layer and the compound can be anemissive dopant in some embodiments, while the compound can be anon-emissive dopant in other embodiments.

The organic layer can also include a host. In some embodiments, the hostcan include a metal complex. The host can be a triphenylene containingbenzo-fused thiophene or benzo-fused furan. Any substituent in the hostcan be an unfused substituent independently selected from the groupconsisting of C_(n)H_(2n+1), OC_(n)H_(2n+1), OAr₁, N(C_(n)H_(2n+1))₂,N(Ar₁)(Ar₂), CH═CH—C_(n)H_(2n+1), C≡C—C₂H_(2n+1), Ar₁, Ar₁-Ar₂, andC_(n)H_(2n)—Ar₁, or no substitution. In the preceding substituents n canrange from 1 to 10; and Ar₁ and Ar₂ can be independently selected fromthe group consisting of benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, triphenylene,carbazole, and heteroaromatic analogs thereof.

The host can be a compound comprising at least one chemical groupselected from the group consisting of triphenylene, carbazole,dibenzothiphene, dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene, azatriphenylene,azacarbazole, aza-dibenzothiophene, aza-dibenzofuran, andaza-dibenzoselenophene. The host can include a metal complex. The hostcan be a specific compound selected from the group consisting of:

and combinations thereof.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a formulation thatcomprises a compound according to Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n) isdescribed. The formulation can include one or more components selectedfrom the group consisting of a solvent, a host, a hole injectionmaterial, hole transport material, and an electron transport layermaterial; disclosed herein.

Combination with Other Materials

The materials described herein as useful for a particular layer in anorganic light emitting device may be used in combination with a widevariety of other materials present in the device. For example, emissivedopants disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with a wide varietyof hosts, transport layers, blocking layers, injection layers,electrodes and other layers that may be present. The materials describedor referred to below are non-limiting examples of materials that may beuseful in combination with the compounds disclosed herein, and one ofskill in the art can readily consult the literature to identify othermaterials that may be useful in combination.

HIL/HTL:

A hole injecting/transporting material to be used in the presentinvention is not particularly limited, and any compound may be used aslong as the compound is typically used as a hole injecting/transportingmaterial. Examples of the material include, but are not limited to: aphthalocyanine or porphyrin derivative; an aromatic amine derivative; anindolocarbazole derivative; a polymer containing fluorohydrocarbon; apolymer with conductivity dopants; a conducting polymer, such asPEDOT/PSS; a self-assembly monomer derived from compounds such asphosphonic acid and silane derivatives; a metal oxide derivative, suchas MoO_(x); p-type semiconducting organic compound, such as1,4,5,8,9,12-Hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile; a metal complex, and across-linkable compound.

Examples of aromatic amine derivatives used in HIL or HTL include, butare not limited to the following general structures:

Each of Ar¹ to Ar⁹ is selected from the group consisting of aromatichydrocarbon cyclic compounds such as benzene, biphenyl, triphenyl,triphenylene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenalene, phenanthrene,fluorene, pyrene, chrysene, perylene, and azulene; the group consistingof aromatic heterocyclic compounds such as dibenzothiophene,dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene, furan, thiophene, benzofuran,benzothiophene, benzoselenophene, carbazole, indolocarbazole,pyridylindole, pyrrolodipyridine, pyrazole, imidazole, triazole,oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, thiadiazole,pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, oxazine,oxathiazine, oxadiazine, indole, benzimidazole, indazole, indoxazine,benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline,cinnoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, naphthyridine, phthalazine,pteridine, xanthene, acridine, phenazine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine,benzofuropyridine, furodipyridine, benzothienopyridine,thienodipyridine, benzoselenophenopyridine, and selenophenodipyridine;and the group consisting of 2 to 10 cyclic structural units which aregroups of the same type or different types selected from the aromatichydrocarbon cyclic group and the aromatic heterocyclic group and arebonded to each other directly or via at least one of oxygen atom,nitrogen atom, sulfur atom, silicon atom, phosphorus atom, boron atom,chain structural unit and the aliphatic cyclic group. Wherein each Ar isfurther substituted by a substituent selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester,nitrite, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof.

In one aspect, Ar¹ to Ar⁹ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein k is an integer from 1 to 20; X¹⁰¹ to X¹⁰⁸ is C (including CH)or N; Z¹⁰¹ is NAr¹, O, or S; Ar¹ has the same group defined above.

Examples of metal complexes used in HIL or HTL include, but are notlimited to the following general formula:

wherein Met is a metal, which can have an atomic weight greater than 40;(Y¹⁰¹-Y¹⁰²) is a bidentate ligand, Y¹⁰¹ and Y¹⁰² are independentlyselected from C, N, O, P, and S; L¹⁰¹ is an ancillary ligand; k′ is aninteger value from 1 to the maximum number of ligands that may beattached to the metal; and k′+k″ is the maximum number of ligands thatmay be attached to the metal.

In one aspect, (Y¹⁰¹-Y¹⁰²) is a 2-phenylpyridine derivative. In anotheraspect, (Y¹⁰¹-Y¹⁰²) is a carbene ligand. In another aspect, Met isselected from Ir, Pt, Os, and Zn. In a further aspect, the metal complexhas a smallest oxidation potential in solution vs. Fc⁺/Fc couple lessthan about 0.6 V.

Host:

The light emitting layer of the organic EL device of the presentinvention preferably contains at least a metal complex as light emittingmaterial, and may contain a host material using the metal complex as adopant material. Examples of the host material are not particularlylimited; and any metal complexes or organic compounds may be used aslong as the triplet energy of the host is larger than that of thedopant. While the Table below categorizes host materials as preferredfor devices that emit various colors, any host material may be used withany dopant so long as the triplet criteria is satisfied.

Examples of metal complexes used as host are preferred to have thefollowing general formula:

wherein Met is a metal; (Y¹⁰³-Y¹⁰⁴) is a bidentate ligand, Y¹⁰³ and Y¹⁰⁴are independently selected from C, N, O, P, and S; L¹⁰¹ is an anotherligand; k′ is an integer value from 1 to the maximum number of ligandsthat may be attached to the metal; and k′+k″ is the maximum number ofligands that may be attached to the metal.

In one aspect, the metal complexes are:

wherein (O—N) is a bidentate ligand, having metal coordinated to atoms Oand N.

In another aspect, Met is selected from Ir and Pt. In a further aspect,(Y¹⁰³-Y¹⁰⁴) is a carbene ligand.

Examples of organic compounds used as host are selected from the groupconsisting of aromatic hydrocarbon cyclic compounds such as benzene,biphenyl, biphenyl, triphenylene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenalene,phenanthrene, fluorene, pyrene, chrysene, perylene, and azulene; thegroup consisting of aromatic heterocyclic compounds such asdibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene, furan, thiophene,benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzoselenophene, carbazole,indolocarbazole, pyridylindole, pyrrolodipyridine, pyrazole, imidazole,triazole, oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole,thiadiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine,oxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, benzimidazole, indazole, indoxazine,benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline,cinnoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, naphthyridine, phthalazine,pteridine, xanthene, acridine, phenazine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine,benzofuropyridine, furodipyridine, benzothienopyridine,benzoselenophenopyridine, and selenophenodipyridine; and the groupconsisting of 2 to 10 cyclic structural units which are groups of thesame type or different types selected from the aromatic hydrocarboncyclic group and the aromatic heterocyclic group and are bonded to eachother directly or via at least one of oxygen atom, nitrogen atom, sulfuratom, silicon atom, phosphorus atom, boron atom, chain structural unitand the aliphatic cyclic group. Wherein each group is furthersubstituted by a substituent selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl,alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester,nitrite, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, andcombinations thereof.

In one aspect, the host compound contains at least one of the followinggroups in the molecule:

wherein R¹⁰¹ to R¹⁰⁷ is independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylicacids, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl,phosphino, and combinations thereof, when it is aryl or heteroaryl, ithas the similar definition as Ar's mentioned above. k is an integer from0 to 20 or 1 to 20; k′″ is an integer from 0 to 20. X¹⁰¹ to X¹⁰⁸ isselected from C (including CH) or N. Z¹⁰¹ and Z¹⁰² is selected fromNR¹⁰¹, O, or S.

HBL:

A hole blocking layer (HBL) may be used to reduce the number of holesand/or excitons that leave the emissive layer. The presence of such ablocking layer in a device may result in substantially higherefficiencies as compared to a similar device lacking a blocking layer.Also, a blocking layer may be used to confine emission to a desiredregion of an OLED.

In one aspect, compound used in HBL contains the same molecule or thesame functional groups used as host described above.

In another aspect, compound used iii HBL contains at least one of thefollowing groups in the molecule:

wherein k is an integer from 1 to 20; L¹⁰¹ is an another ligand, k′ isan integer from 1 to 3.

ETL:

Electron transport layer (ETL) may include a material capable oftransporting electrons. Electron transport layer may be intrinsic(undoped), or doped. Doping may be used to enhance conductivity.Examples of the Eli material are not particularly limited, and any metalcomplexes or organic compounds may be used as long as they are typicallyused to transport electrons.

In one aspect, compound used in ETL contains at least one of thefollowing groups in the molecule:

wherein R¹⁰¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy,aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof, when it is aryl or heteroaryl, it has the similar definition asAr's mentioned above. Ar¹ to Ar³ has the similar definition as Ar'smentioned above. k is an integer from 1 to 20. X¹⁰¹ to X¹⁰⁸ is selectedfrom C (including CH) or N.

In another aspect, the metal complexes used in ETL include, but are notlimited to the following general formula:

wherein (O—N) or (N—N) is a bidentate ligand, having metal coordinatedto atoms O, N or N, N; L¹⁰¹ is another ligand; k′ is an integer valuefrom 1 to the maximum number of ligands that may be attached to themetal.

In any above-mentioned compounds used in each layer of the OLED device,the hydrogen atoms can be partially or fully deuterated. Thus, anyspecifically listed substituent, such as, without limitation, methyl,phenyl, pyridyl, etc. encompasses undeuterated, partially deuterated,and fully deuterated versions thereof. Similarly, classes ofsubstituents such as, without limitation, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,heteroaryl, etc. also encompass undeuterated, partially deuterated, andfully deuterated versions thereof.

In addition to and/or in combination with the materials disclosedherein, many hole injection materials, hole transporting materials, hostmaterials, dopant materials, exciton/hole blocking layer materials,electron transporting and electron injecting materials may be used in anOLED. Non-limiting examples of the materials that may be used in an OLEDin combination with materials disclosed herein are listed in Table Abelow. Table A lists non-limiting classes of materials, non-limitingexamples of compounds for each class, and references that disclose thematerials.

TABLE A MATERIAL EXAMPLES OF MATERIAL PUBLICATIONS Hole injectionmaterials Phthalocyanine and porphyrin compounds

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US20090167162

WO2009086028

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WO2009003898 Silicon/Germanium aryl compounds

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EXPERIMENTAL Synthesis Examples Synthesis of Compound 18,213(Ir[L_(A467)][L_(B39)]₂)

A mixture of iridium precursor (2.5 g, 2.19 mmol),2-(methyl-d₃)-8-(4-(2-methylpropyl-1,1-d₂)pyridine-2-yl)benzofuro[2,3-b]pyridine(1.268 g, 3.95 mmol), 2-ethoxyethanol (40 mL) and dimethylformamide(DMF) (40 mL) was heated at 130° C., overnight for 18 hours. Thereaction mixture was concentrated to remove solvents and filteredthrough a small plug of silica gel and further chromatographed to give1.62 g desired product (59% yield).

Synthesis of Compound 17,936 (Ir[L_(A190)][L_(B39)]₂)

A mixture of iridium precursor (2.0 g, 1.75 mmol),8-(5-isopropyl-4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2-methylbenzofuro[2,3-b]pyridine-d₁₃(1.04 g, 3.16 mmol), 2-ethoxyethanol (20 mL) and DMF (20 mL) was heatedat 130° C. overnight for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was concentratedto remove solvents and filtered through a small plug of silica get andfurther chromatographed to give 1.3 g desired product (61% yield).

Synthesis of Compound 17,942 (Ir[L_(A196)][L_(B39)]₂)

Iridium precursor (2 g, 1.754 mmol) and ligand L_(A196) (1.05 g, 3.19mmol) were charged into a reaction flask with 30 mL of 2-ethoxyethanoland 30 mL of DMF. This mixture was degassed and then heated in an oilbath set at 130° C. for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled toroom temperature (˜22° C.) and the solvents were removed under vacuum.The crude product was dissolved in 200 mL of dichloromethane (DCM), thenpassed through a plug of silica gel. The plug was eluted with 1.5 L ofDCM. The DCM filtrate was concentrated under vacuum. Next, the cruderesidue was passed through a silica gel column, which was eluted with70-80% DCM/heptanes. Clean product fractions were combined andconcentrated under vacuum yielding 1.05 g (67.4% yield) of a yellowsolid.

Device Examples

All example devices were fabricated by high vacuum (<10⁻⁷ Torr) thermalevaporation. The anode electrode is 1200 Å of indium tin oxide (ITO).The cathode consisted of 110 Å of LiF followed by 1,000 Å of Al. Alldevices are encapsulated with a glass lid sealed with an epoxy resin ina nitrogen glove box (<1 ppm of H₂O and O₂) immediately afterfabrication, and a moisture getter was incorporated inside the package.The organic stack of the device examples consisted of sequentially, fromthe ITO surface, 100 Å of LG101 as the hole injection layer (HIL), 450 Åof Compound D as the hole transporting layer (HTL), 400 Å of theinvention compound doped in Compound B as host with 10 or 15 weightpercent of the iridium phosphorescent compound (Compound 18,213) as theemissive layer (EML), 50 {acute over (Å)} of Compound C as a blockinglayer (BL), 450 Å of Alq (tris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum) as the ETL.The comparative Example with Compound A was fabricated similarly to theDevice Examples. The device results and data are summarized in Tables 1and 2. As used herein, Alq, Compound A, B, C and D have the followingstructures:

TABLE 1 Device Structures of Inventive Compound and Comparative CompoundExample HIL HTL EML (300 Å, doping %) BL ETL Comparative LG101 CompoundCompound Compound A Compound Alq Example 1 100 Å D 300 Å B as host 10% C50 Å 450 Å Comparative LG101 Compound Compound Compound A Compound AlqExample 2 100 Å D 300 Å B as host 15% C 50 Å 450 Å Device LG101 CompoundCompound Compound Compound Alq Example 1 100 Å D 300 Å B as host 18,21310% C 50 Å 450 Å Device LG101 Compound Compound Compound Compound AlqExample 2 100 Å D 300 Å B as host 18,213 15% C 50 Å 450 Å

TABLE 2 VTE Device Results EQE EQE Dop- [%] @ [%] @ λmax FWHM ant 10009000 x y (nm) (nm) (%) nits nits Comparative 0.318 0.641 524 55 10 21.215.7 example 1 Comparative 0.322 0.639 526 55 15 22.5 18.0 example 2Device 0.321 0.642 524 54 10 24.6 18.5 Example 1 Device 0.324 0.640 52654 15 26.4 21.7 Example 2

Table 2 is the summary of EL of comparative and inventive devices at1000 nits. The EQE values at 1000 nits for Comparative Examples 1 & 2with Compound A at dopant concentrations of 10% and 15% were 21.2 and22.5%, respectively, versus 24.6 and 26.4% for Device Examples 1 & 2with Compound 18,213 at dopant concentrations of 10% and 15%,respectively. Similar EQE results were observed at 9000 nits. Thesedevice results demonstrated that the aza-DBF containing complexes showbetter device performance than standard DBF containing complexes in termof EQE.

It is understood that the various embodiments described herein are byway of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. For example, many of the materials and structures describedherein may be substituted with other materials and structures withoutdeviating from the spirit of the invention. The present invention asclaimed may therefore include variations from the particular examplesand preferred embodiments described herein, as will be apparent to oneof skill in the art, it is understood that various theories as to whythe invention works are not intended to be limiting.

1. A compound having the formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n), having thestructure:

wherein A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ are each independently eithercarbon or nitrogen; wherein at least one of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷,and A⁸ is nitrogen; wherein ring B is bonded to ring A through a C—Cbond; wherein the iridium is bonded to ring A through an Ir—C bond;wherein X is O, S, or Se; wherein R¹, R², and R⁴ each independentlyrepresent mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-substitution, or no substitution;wherein R³ represents mono-, di-substitution, or no substitution;wherein any adjacent substitutions in R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are optionallylinked together to form a ring; wherein each R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium,halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; and wherein n is an integer from 1 to
 2. 2. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein n is
 1. 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein thecompound has the formula:


4. The compound of claim 1, wherein only one of A¹ to A⁸ is nitrogen. 5.(canceled)
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein X is O.
 7. The compoundof claim 1, wherein R¹, R², and R⁴ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, andcombinations thereof.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ representsno substitution.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ representsdi-substitution and links together to form a benzene ring fused ontoimidazole ring, and wherein the benzene ring is optionally furthersubstituted.
 10. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁵ is alkyl orcycloalkyl.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁵ is

wherein R¹′ and R²′ are each independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl,carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl,sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; wherein at least one ofR¹′ and R²′ is not hydrogen or deuterium; and wherein ring C is5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring that isoptionally further substituted.
 12. The compound of claim 1, whereinsaid compound has a structure according to Formula II:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuteriumalkyl, cycloalkyl, and combinations thereof.
 13. (canceled)
 14. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein L_(A) is selected from the group consistingof:


15. The compound of claim 14, wherein the compound has a structureselected from the group consisting of Structure 1 through Structure23,350, wherein each Structure x has the formula Ir(L_(Ak)) (L_(Bj))₂,wherein x=467j+k−467, k is an integer from 1 to 467, and j is an integerfrom 1 to 50, and wherein L_(B1) through L_(B50) are defined as follows:


16. The compound of claim 1, wherein L_(B) is selected from the groupconsisting of:


17. A first device comprising a first organic light emitting device, thefirst organic light emitting device comprising: an anode; a cathode; andan organic layer, disposed between the anode and the cathode, comprisinga compound having the formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n), having thestructure:

wherein A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ are each independently eithercarbon or nitrogen; wherein at least one of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷,and A⁸ is nitrogen; wherein ring B is bonded to ring A through a C—Cbond; wherein the iridium is bonded to ring A through an Ir—C bond;wherein X is O, S, or Se; wherein R¹, R², and R⁴ each independentlyrepresent mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-substitution, or no substitution;wherein R³ represents mono-, di-substitution, or no substitution;wherein any adjacent substitutions in R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are optionallylinked together to form a ring; wherein each R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium,halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfanyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; and wherein n is an integer from 1 to
 2. 18. The first deviceof claim 17, wherein the first device is selected from the groupconsisting of a consumer product, an electronic component module, anorganic light-emitting device, and a lighting panel.
 19. The firstdevice of claim 17, wherein the organic layer is an emissive layer andthe compound is an emissive dopant or a non-emissive dopant.
 20. Thefirst device of claim 17, wherein the organic layer further comprises ahost; wherein the host comprises a triphenylene containing benzo-fusedthiophene or benzo-fused furan; wherein any substituent in the host isan unfused substituent independently selected from the group consistingof C_(n)H_(2n+1), OC_(n)H_(2n+1), OAr₁, N(C_(n)H_(2n+1))₂, N(Ar₁)(Ar₂),CH═CH—C_(n)H_(2n+1), C≡CC_(n)H_(2n+1), Ar₁, Ar₁—Ar₂, C_(n)H_(2n)—Ar₁, orno substitution; wherein n is from 1 to 10; and wherein Ar₁ and Ar₂ areindependently selected from the group consisting of benzene, biphenyl,naphthalene, triphenylene, carbazole, and heteroaromatic analogsthereof.
 21. The first device of claim 17, wherein the organic layerfurther comprises a host, wherein the host comprises at least onechemical group selected from the group consisting of triphenylene,carbazole, dibenzothiphene, dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene,azatriphenylene, azacarbazole, aza-dibenzothiophene, aza-dibenzofuran,and aza-dibenzoselenophene.
 22. The first device of claim 17, whereinthe organic layer further comprises a host and the host is selected fromthe group consisting of:

and combinations thereof.
 23. (canceled)
 24. A formulation comprising acompound having the formula Ir(L_(A))_(n)(L_(B))_(3-n), having thestructure:

wherein A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷, and A⁸ are each independently eithercarbon or nitrogen; wherein at least one of A¹, A², A³, A⁴, A⁵, A⁶, A⁷,and A⁸ is nitrogen; wherein ring B is bonded to ring A through a C—Cbond; wherein the iridium is bonded to ring A through an Ir—C bond;wherein X is O, S, or Se; wherein R¹, R², and R⁴ each independentlyrepresent mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-substitution, or no substitution;wherein R³ represents mono-, di-substitution, or no substitution;wherein any adjacent substitutions in R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are optionallylinked together to form a ring; wherein each R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium,halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acids, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfanyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; and wherein n is an integer from 1 to 2.